Singapore shoe designer Gino Singh, owner of Riccino footwear brand, dies at 73

SINGAPORE – Local shoe designer Gino Jagindar Singh, best known for the footwear brand Riccino, died on Sept 11 at the age of 73.

His daughter, Genial, told ST that he had Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, and passed away from complications.

She also posted on Facebook on the morning of Sept 11, in which she said her father had died.

She wrote: “His shoes were everything to him, and if you were fortunate enough to have worn his creations, I want you to know he poured himself into every single one of those designs.

“If you still have them, you hold pieces of him and his passion and I hope that when you see them and wear them, that you think of him fondly.

“He will forever remain in all the hearts he has touched throughout his life.”

She also shared several photos of her father and herself. Calling him “truly one-of-a-kind”, she said his creativity and compassion knew no bounds.

Riccino was one of the earliest home-grown shoe brands in Singapore, having been in business since 1980, according to a Straits Times report in 2006.

In 1992, it had branches all over town, including Orchard Plaza, The Arcade, and Style Singapore at the former Park Mall. It specialised in leather shoes, which sold for between $69 and $300 at the time.

Mr Singh described his designs – mostly made of leather and produced either in Singapore or Malaysia – as classic and less trend-driven.

Speaking to ST in 1992, he said one distinctive feature of Riccino shoes was their low-cut front. That was deliberate because it looked sexy, showing the curvature of the feet at the toes, he added.

Mr Singh also believed in giving back, regularly sponsoring shoes for beauty contests such as Miss Singapore-World and Miss Singapore-Universe.

He said a woman in a swimsuit or elegant evening gown should wear shoes that complement and enhance her image.

Former customers reacted to his death on social media with grief.

Facebook user Michelle Lee wrote: “I still have the shoes I bought from him. They were the only pair I wore for work and formal occasions. The most comfortable, well-crafted leather shoes I’ve ever owned, and they’ve lasted me all these years.”

Ms Angela Yap, also writing on Facebook, said: “I remember Gino well. I wore his shoes when I first started working in the 1980s. I will have a favourite style in black, white, brown and blue.

“He loved his craft and his customers. A lovely man, always so friendly and always serving with a smile. Rest in peace, Gino.”

Another former customer, Ms Joy Tan, said: “It’s been an honour to own so many wonderful shoes crafted by him. Every time I wear his shoes, I remember his dedication and skill.

“His legacy lives on in every pair he made.”